Supporting Extraordinary Minds; Understanding Twice-Exceptional Children Chris Croll chris@nationalcenterforgiftedservices.com

Outline Define “gifted” and “twice exceptional” Discuss the unique characteristics twice-exceptional children Diagnosing 2e children Myths Exposed Advice for Educators Advice for Parents More Resources

Gifted The Columbus Group, 1991 “Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm.  This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counseling in order for them to develop optimally.” 

Gifted Gifted children develop unevenly… Haley O’Connor Haley O’Connor

Gifted…

Gifted Gifted does not mean high achieving! The desire to learn is not the same as the desire to perform

Gifted Intellectual Characteristics Gifted means an IQ of 130+ IQ testing is not reliable until the child is 5+ years old

Gifted Intellectual Characteristics Gifted means an IQ of 130+ IQ testing is not reliable until the child is 5+ years old The catch: Sometimes disabilities negatively impact IQ scores

Gifted Neurological & Physiological Physical characteristics of giftedness Brain chemistry is different Brain physical structure is different Information processing is different A person has a stronger reaction than normal for a longer period of time to a stimulus that may be small or imperceptible to others (GROgifted)

Gifted Neurological & Physiological Dobrowski Overexcitabilities (OE’s) Psychomotor (talk fast, more energy) Sensual (react more strongly) Intellectual (“rage to learn”) Emotional (feel deeper) Imaginational (fantasy and reality blending together)

Gifted Social-Emotional Characteristics Many gifted children do not know how to ask for help…and adults don’t always see the struggle Gifted children are adept at masking their feelings Gifted children behave differently (quirky) anyway Gifted children can perform at very high levels at school and still be suffering inside Gifted children are often bullied for being different 67% of gifted 8th graders reported being the victim of bullying as opposed to 13% of the general population (Cross)

Gifted Social-Emotional Characteristics Some research suggests high IQ children struggle more than neuro typical children with social emotional skills 85 percent of financial success in life is due to skills in ‘human engineering’ including your personality, ability to communicate, negotiate and lead.’ (Carnegie Institute of Technology)

But wait…there’s more! As if being gifted wasn’t hard enough….. let’s throw in a disability (or two)!

Twice Exceptional Kids It’s hard to be a gifted child but it’s extremely hard to be 2e child “You’re so smart, why can’t you behave?” “He does well academically but gets in trouble constantly” “Just please act normal for once!” “You’re just not trying hard enough.” “Sit still and stop acting like a baby.” “Control yourself!”

Twice Exceptional Kids It’s hard to be a gifted child but it’s extremely hard to be 2e child “WHY IS EVERYONE ALWAYS MAD AT ME?” William “You’re so smart, why can’t you behave?” “He does well academically but gets in trouble constantly” “Just please act normal for once!” “You’re just not trying hard enough” “Sit still and stop acting like a baby.” “Control yourself!”

Twice Exceptional Kids Some conditions are fairly common in the gifted population – Written Expression Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression Example: ADHD ADHD and Tourette Syndrome ADHD and OCD ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder There is research ongoing about comorbidity of suicidology and giftedness (Dr. Tracy Cross, William & Mary)

Categories of 2e Gifted Students with Physical Disabilities - In the majority of cases, physical disability and cognitive ability are unrelated. Example: Stephen Hawking Gifted Students with Sensory Disabilities - Hearing impaired, blind, etc. Example: Helen Keller Gifted Students with Asperger Syndrome - Characterized by language and social impairments. Example: Dr. Temple Grandin Gifted Students with Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders - Example: John Nash Jr. (“A Beautiful Mind”) Gifted Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Example: Dr. Nikola Tesla (presumed) Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities – Example; Albert Einstein

What Does 2e Look Like? Rodney gets decent grades and achieves close to or at grade level on all of his district’s assessments. When concerns about his reading achievement were raised and an evaluation conducted, it was found that his IQ is well above average, superior in some areas, but his reading decoding scores are below the average range for students his age. He has a combination of some gifted abilities and other areas that require intensive intervention. Rodney is twice-exceptional.

Diagnosing 2e Children Source: Belin Blank Center, University of Iowa Review of educational and medical records Interviews with parents and child Individual administration of intelligence, academic achievement and executive function tests Behavior rating scales completed by child, teacher and parents (measures of self control, depression, anxiety) Measures of development and adaptive function (ASD eval)

Diagnosing 2e Children Source: Belin Blank Center Carrie Hannah IQ 160 (99th %tile) Achievement >99th %tile Adaptive Behavior 18th %tile Communication 20th %tile Socialization 5th %tile 70th %tile Communication 95th %tile Socialization 42nd %tile Diagnosis ASD No ASD

Myths Quiz - True or False? Being gifted makes up for having a learning or attention issue Students can’t be gifted and lack basic skills, so they’re just not trying hard enough 2E students are eligible for IEPs or 504 plans Giftedness and challenges can’t be addressed at the same time Addressing weaknesses should be the top priority when helping 2E students 2E students need accommodations but they can be in AP/Dual Enrollment classes 2E students should be more mature than other kids their age Source: Understood.com

Recommended Read for 2e Children “Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper Gifted 11 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy Non verbal Quadriplegic Extremely gifted Props to Mrs. Clothier, 6H English at Simpson

Advice for Educators… If you want to motivate a 2e child to perform, gear your instruction around subjects that interest them Many 2e children have a very rigid justice system Give directions using multiple modalities Build trust so students feel comfortable asking for help Use the team – counselors, outside therapists, IEP team, etc. Teach organizational skills Be flexible!!!!

Advice for Parents… Modify your expectations and your parenting style for a 2e child Model good EQ skills Shake hands, make eye contact, express empathy, demonstrate tenacity, label your emotions, admit mistakes, etc. Give children a vocabulary for self expression “It’s hard for you to stop playing and clean up.” “You’re mad that your tower fell!” “You’re so disappointed it’s raining and we can’t go outside today.”

Biggest Parenting Challenge Love the disability as much as you love the gifts…these are all components of what makes your child beautiful, special and different

Biggest Parenting Challenge Love the disability as much as you love the gifts…these are all components of what makes your child beautiful, special and different The world needs YOUR child just the way they are

More Resources… Follow @Raising Children with Intelligence on Facebook ADHD Accommodations ASD Accommodations Book about Missed Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis

703 863 8644 Chris@NationalCenterforGiftedServices.com Thank You! Chris@nationalcenterforgiftedservices.com nationalcenterforgiftedservices.com